Motor-operated sofa-bed



Sept, 30, 195$ M. s. FIRSEL 2,853,717

MOTOR-OPERATED SOFA-BED I Filed June 15, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: MAURICE S. FIRSEL M. s. FIRSEL MOTOR-OPERATED SOFA-BED Sept. so, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 15, 1955 INVENTOR. MAURICE SJ FIRSEL ATT YS United States Patent MOTOR-OPERATED SOFA-BED Maurice S. Firsel, Chicago, Ill. Application June15, 1955, Serial No. 515,718

9 Claims, (Cl. -17) The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of convertible sitting-sleeping pieces of furniture commonly referred to as sofa beds; to provide an improved piece of furniture offthis kind convertible from one usetto the other either manually or'by means of a motor drive; to provide an improved construction of a flexible mattress-supporting frame collapsible within. or extendible on a mounting frame; to. provide an improved arrangement of a motor-drive means for shifting the mattress-supporting frame from one: position to another; to

provide improved switchmeans for manually starting the motor-andv automatically stopping the-same when the mattress-supporting frame reaches either limit of its travel in conversion from one use to another; to provide improved automatically extendi'ble and retractible supplerental supportfor the mattress-supporting frame in its bed position; to provide an improved leg supportfor the outer section of .the mattress-frame. wheninitsv bed-extended position; and to provide an improved convertible sofa-bed of this kind which is. simple and'compact .in its construction, hence economical:tomanufacture, and-which is especially convenient to use with a motordrive. In theembodiment shown in the accompanying drawlngs;

Figure l is. a transverse, sectional, elevation of amotoroperated typeofsofa-bed constructed inaccordance with" thisinvention; the. parts being shownimtheir collapsed sofa-arrangement, withthe bed-mattress and sofa cushions shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 2, isv arfro-nt elevation of the same, some of the parts being brokenaway to .m'oreclearly indicate the interior. structureythe line 11 being the plane whereon the view of Fig. 1 is taken.

Fig. 3 is a view .sirililar1to Fig. 1 but showingthesofabed. in its extended rbed arrangement, the bed-mattress and sofa cushions being shown invdottedout-line.

Pig. 4'. is ansenlarged, fragmentary, partly-sectional,

perspective: of one end of the sofa-bed arrangement,.but with thesbednnattress and sofa cushions omitted.

Fig; 5 is anzenlargedj .fragmentaryrperspective. of .the

mattress-supporting frame in its .bedextended. position ing-frame tracks andconnected by a gear-andrack type mechanism for shifting the mattressaframe. between re-' tracted-sofa and extended-bed positions, amotor whenused being-connected tothegear and controlled by man-- Patented Sept. 36, E955:

ually-actuated' starting and, automatically-operated stopping switchnieans, the outer section of the mattresssupportingframe having a supporting leg structure automatically shiftable between supporting and folded positions' with. the. extension and retraction ofthe mattresssupporting frame.

It is tobe understood that sofa-bed, as herein used is intended to include other specific forms ofconvertible furniture such. as A chairs.

The herein :shown motor-operated type of sofa-bed, ernbodying the foregoing .con'cept comprises, a main mounting frame A wherein is .slidably arranged a mattress-supporting frame B,- the opposite shifting of which, between retracted and extended positions with respect to the main mounting frame A,-is shown to be effected by a motordrivemechanisrn C as controlled by manual and automatic-switch-means'D.-'

The main mounting frame A comprises, a base 11 supported on -th'e usual low legs 12 and spanning and securedto arm-rest ends 13 and 14, thereby providing a horizontally-disposed sofa portion 16 and an upright, rear, storage-portion 1-7, and-whereon is arranged track members 18* slidably I supporting the mattress-supporting frame-B.

As the=drawings more or less indicate, this main mounting frame A is a wood structure. The base 11 istopen and the arm-rest ends 13 and 14 are hollow, being closed by panels 19'. The rearof the upright portion 17 is closed by-a panel 21.

The track members 18 are in the form of continuous, opposed, channels located at the opposite ends of the main mounting frame'A and having telescoping extensions 2(l-located in their outer portions. These track members 18' are disposedhorizontally alongvthe sofa portion 14 and vertically along and doubled back within the upright storage portion 17 of the mounting frameA.

The mattress-supporting frame B is a flexible construetion comprising, a sofa-section 22 and an attached section of short links 23. The links are hinged together, and to the sofa-section 22 by pins 24. At their outer ends the pins 24 journal rollers 26, which ride inthe channel track members 18 and the track extension 20. The sofasection 22 and the links 23 are transversely spanned by T-bars 27 serving as mattress-supporting slats for the links section 23 and as a brace forthe sofa-section 22.

The C-shaped extensions 20 (see Fig. 5) are telescopically supported in the respective horizontal sections of the track members 18. They are drawn out from and shifted back into such sections automatically with the extension and retraction of the mattress-supporting frame B respectively by the engagement of the forwardmost rollers 24 and a shoulder 40 (see Fig. 5) and the brackets 25. The outward movement ofsuch extensions 20 is limited by the spring-pressed detents 15 contacting the shoulders 15a formed at the inner. ends of the extensions 20 (see Figs. 5, 7 and 8). The brackets 25 (see Fig. 5) are secured to the outer front ends of the mattress-supporting frame B and extend laterally outward therefrom to abut the outer ends of the extensions 20, asthe frame B moves into its fully-retracted position.

The sofa-section 22 mounts a leg structure 28-29 connected by link means 31, presently to be described more fully. Also, the sofa-section 22 is spanned by the conventional, mattress-supporting, spring-tensioned wire fabric 30 (see Fig. 4).

The links-23, as well as the sofa-section22, are channel shaped. Alternate links 23 are slightly wider than the intermediate links and are bifurcated to form ears 32 (see Fig. 5). These ears 32 fit over the adjacent ends of the intermediate links and permit the hinging together of the links 23 by the pins 24.

The hinge pins 24 areretained in place by cotter pins 3 33 between which, and the links 23 and the roller 36, are interposed the usual washers 34. These hinge pins 24, thus positioned within the channel links 23, simulate a gear-rack for coaction with a gear-like element 35 of the motor-drive mechanism C to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame B, as presently will be described.

The outer ends of the sofa-section 22 and the inner ends of the innermost links 23 are connected together by transverse braces 36 .and 37, here shown in the form of angle bars.

The hereinbefore-mentioned leg structure for support of the sofa-section 22, of the mattress-supporting frame 13 in its extended bed position, comprises the legs 28 and 29 and the spring-actuated link means 31.

The legs 28 are pivoted on the opposite ends of the hinge pins 24 which connect the sofa-section 22 to the next adjacent links 23. On its lower end the leg 28 journals the usual roller 28'. The legs 29 are pivoted adjacent the outer ends of the sofa-section 22 and each, likewise, journals a roller 29'.

The links 31 are hinged to the upper ends of the respective legs 29 and extend rearwardly along the sofasection 22. At the rear end each link 31 is hinged to link 39 connected to the leg 28 below its pivot to the sofasection 22, and to short link 41 hinged to the sofa-section 22. By such link means, the legs 28 and 29 swing in opposite directions up against and down from the under side of the sofa-section 22.

Springs 42, connected to the rear ends of the links 31 and to posts 43 on the sofa-section 22, normally bias the legs 28 and 29 into their extended sofa-section-supporting positions.

The legs 28 are formed with cam surfaces 44 which strike plates 46, on the upper forward corners of the mounting frame A, so as to cause the automatic folding of the legs during the movement of the mattress-supporting frame B toward its storage position in the mounting frame A.

In their folded positions the leg rollers 28 ride on ledges 45 on the frame A (see Fig. l), as the mattress-supporting section A completes its movement into its fully-retracted position or initiates its movement therefrom.

The motor-drive mechanism C comprises, a motor 51 connected by a conventional reduction gearing 52 (see Figs. 2 and 4) to a shaft 53 mounting the driven elements 35.

The motor 51 is a reversing type and, with the reduction gearing 52, is here shown housed in the arm rest 13 on a platform 56.

The shaft 53 extends longitudinally across the mounting frame A, slightly rearward of the longitudinal medial plane of the frame A. The shaft 53 has its end, opposite pair of automatically-acting motor-stop switches 63 and 64, and a circuit-directional switch 66.

The switches 61 and 62are normally open, pressbutton type which, along with the conventional doublepole double-throw switch 66, are mounted on a panel 67 on the rear outer face of the arm-rest 13 (see Fig. 4).

The switches 63 and 64, of the micro-type, are 'fixed on the inner faces of one end of the mounting frame A at points adjacent Where the innermost links 23, of the mattress-supporting fame A, come to rest when the frame B respectively is in its retracted, storage position and its bed-extended position on the mounting frame A, as

will be most apparent from Figs. 1 and 3.

The switch arms 63' and 64', of these switches 63 and 64, are biased to normally close the circuit to the motor 51. A finger 68 (Figs. 1 and 3), on the angle bar 37,. spanning the innermost link 23 of the mattress-supporting frame A, is positioned to successively engage these that of the motor 51, jo-urnaledin a bearing '57 in the armrest end 14.

The driven elements 35 are keyed to the shaft 53 in alinement with the medial plane of the channel links 23. These elements 35 are formed with radial slots 58 extending inwardly from their peripheries. The slots 58 are spaced apart circumferentially equal to the spacing of the hinge pins 24 of the links 23, so that as the elements 35 are rotated the slots 58 engage the hinge pins 24 and in gear-like fashion effect the shifting of the mattresssupporting frame B between its collapsed, storage position and its extended position on the mounting frame A.

Stud pins 59 (see Figs. 1 and 3) are secured to the.

outer faces of the sofa-section 22 near the rear part there-' of, and are positioned to be seated in and engage the slots 58 in the elements 35 when the mattress-supporting frame B is adjacent its fully-retracted position on the mounting frame A. v

The switch control means D, for the motor-drive mechanism C, may be any one of several different possible arrangements. As here shown it comprises, a "pair of manually-actuated, motor-starting switches61 and 62 a respective switch arms 63 and 64 to open the switches 63 and 64 when the mattress-supporting frame B reaches the opposite limits of its travel.

It is because one or the other of these switches 63 and 64 is always open, that it is necessary to provide the directional switch 66, the shifting of which serves to estab lish a circuit to the motor 51 subject to the depressing of the appropriate, manually-controlled switches 61 or 62.

For example, when the mattress-supporting frame B is in its collapsed, storage position in the upright portion 17 of. the mounting frame A, the in travel micro-switch 64 is open. A shifting of the directional switch 66 establishes a circuit to the motor 51 subject to the depression of the out start switch 61. However, the

button for this switch 61 must be held depressed until the mattress-supporting frame B has moved sufficiently to retract the finger 68 from engagement with the switch arm 64'.

Likewise, when the mattress-supporting frame B is in its bed-extended position, the micro-switch 63 is open. Hence, to effect a return of the mattress-supporting frame B to its retracted position within the mounting frame A, the directional switch 66 must be shifted to restore the possibility of a circuit to the motor 51 upon the depression of the in start switch 62which must be held closed until the mattress-supporting frame B .has moved a suflicient distance to disengage the finger 68 from the switch arm 63'. 1

Although this type of unit has been especially constructed for operation by a motor drive it is to be understood that the shifting of the mattress-supporting frame may be effected manually in at least two ways. One would be to provide an opening in the arm-rest end 13 through which a crank could be inserted to engage a stud shaft on the gear-like element 35. Another manner of effecting manual operation would be to put some handles on the transverse brace 36 of the mattresssupporting frame B whereby one could pull out and push in this latter frame B. Obviously, when constructed for manual operation not only would the motor mechanism be omitted but also the manual and automatic switch means D.

a The operation of this improved type of sofa-bed, for converting from sofa to bed-and the reverseis believed to be quite apparent from the foregoing description. When motor-driven the operation would be as follows:

Assume that the sofa-bed is in sofa use and is to be converted to a bed. After removing the sofa cushionshere shown in dotted outline-the directional switch 66 is first shifted forwardly upward (to the left) toward the out legend on the panel 67. This establishes the possibility of current tothe motor 51. Upon depressing the button for the out start switch 61, and holding nient to-disengage the fingeri68 from the, switch arm 64' the button for the switch '62may be re'leased'and the mattress-supporting frame 3 will continue its outward movement toward the bed-extended position.

As the mattress-supporting frame B starts its outward movement the rollers 29 on the legs 29 move along the ledges 45. As these rollers pass over the cam plates 46, outwardly of the front .of the mounting frame A, the springs 42' cause the leg-link structure 282931 to move into sofa-section supporting position, as shown in Figs, 3 and 5. As the mattress-supporting frame B approaches its forwardly=extended position the forwardmost roller 24 on the mattress-supporting frame B contacts the shoulder 49 and causes the track extensions 20 to be shifted outwardly in the tracks 18, to the limit of their travel as permitted by the spring-pressed stop pins 15 and shoulders i5a'(see Figs. 5, 7 and '8). When the mattress-supporting frame B reaches the limit of its forwardly-extended position, the finger 68, on the rear cross brace 37, contacts the switch-arm '63 and opens the switch 63. The motor is thus stopped. The sofabed is ready for bed use.

When it is desired to restore: the sofa-bed to sofa use, the directional switch 66 is shifted rearwardly upward (tothe right of Fig. 4) toward the in legend on the panel 67. This establishes the possibility of a circuit to the motor 51 which may be completed by the depression of the button for the in start switch 62. As for the switch 61, the button for switch 62 must be held depressed until the mattress-supporting frame B has moved suificiently rearward as to disengage the finger 68 from the switch arm 63. The closing of that switch 63 will permit the motor to continue the retraction of the mattress-supporting frame B until it reaches the inner limit of its retracted'move'ment. As this frame B approaches its completely retracted position, the brackets 25, on the forward ends of the sofa-section 22, will abut the ends o-f'the track'extensions 20 and shift them back into their fully-retracted positions in the tracks 13.

When the mattress-supporting frame B reaches the inner limit of its travel, the finger 68, on the rear cross brace, contacts the switch arm, 64 and opens the switch 63. The motor stops.

Upon replacing the sofa cushions the sofa-bed is ready for sofa use.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of theconstruction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

l. A convertible sofa-bed comprising, a main mounting frame having a horizontal forward portion and an upright rear portion, tracks arranged on the ends of the mounting frame along the horizontal portion and doubled upon themselves vertically within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress-supporting frame consisting of a sofa-section substantially coextensive with the horizontal portion of the mounting frame and a plurality of pivotally-connected .link sections, means arranged laterally of the mattress-supporting frame slidably supporting the frame on the tracks for movement between a collapsed position within the vertical portion of the mounting frame and an extended position along and forwardly of the horizontal portion of the mounting frame, legs hinged adjacent the front and rear lateral sides of the sofa-section of the mattress-supporting frame, link means connecting the legs to effect a simultaneous swinging of the legs between folded and extended positions, a motor housed in the mounting frame and connected to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress supporting frame, and manual and automatic switchmeans for respectively starting and stopping the motor.

2. A convertible sofa bed comprisinga main mounting frame having a horizontal forward portion and an up- 6 right rear portion, tracks arranged on the ends of the mounting frame along the horizontal portion and doubled upon themselves vertically within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress supporting'frame consisting of a sofa-section substantially coextensive with the horizontal portion of the mounting frame and a plurality of pivotally-connected link sections, means arranged laterally of the mattress-supporting frame slidably supporting the frame on the tracks'for movement between a collapsed position within the Vertical portion of the mounting frame and an extended position along and forwardly of the horizontal portion'of the mounting frame, legs hinged adjacent the front and rear lateral sides of the sofa-section of the mattress-supporting frame, link means connecting the legs to effect a simultaneous swinging of the legs between folded and extended positions, a spring normally urging the legs into their folded positions the innermost leg being positionedon the sofa-section to engage the mounting frame during the retraction of the mattress-supporting fram'e'and effect the folding of the legs against the mattress-supporting frame, a motor housed in the mounting frame and connected to elfect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame, and manual and automatic switch-means for respectively starting and stopping the motor.

3. A convertible sofa-bed comprising, a main mountingthe overlapping parts of thelinks for hingedly connectingthem together, rollers on the outer endsofthe hinge pins seated in the channel-shaped track members for supporting the mattress-supporting frame on the track members, a motor housed in the mounting frame, motor-driven elements journaled in the mounting frame at opposite sides of the mattress-supportingframe and engaging the hinge pins to effect the opposite shifting of'the mattress-supporting frame on the track members between collapsed sofa and bed-extended positions, andmanual and automatic switch-means for respectively starting and stopping the motor.

4. A convertible sofa 'b ed comprising, a main mounting frame having a horizontal forward portion and an upright rear portion, opposed channel-shaped track members arranged on the opposite inner ends of the mounting frame and extending along the horizontal portion and doubled vertically upon'themselve's within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress-supporting frame consisting of a plurality of channel-shaped links, alternate links having their-ends bifurcated to embrace the ends of the intermediate links, pins extending-through the overlapping parts of the links for hingedly connecting them together, rollers on the outer ends of the hinge pins seated in the channel-shaped track members for supporting the mattress-supportingframe on the track members, channel-shaped track extensions telescopically supported in the horizontal parts of the track members and movable into and out of extended relationship with the forward ends of the track members when the mattress-supporting frame moves into and out of its forwardmost position on the mounting frame, a motor housed in the mounting frame, motor-driven elements journaledon the mounting frame at opposite sides of the mattress-supporting frame and engaging the hinge pins to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame on the track members between the collapsed sofa and bed-extended positions, and manual and automatic switch means for respectively starting and stopping themotor.

5. A convertible sofa-bed comprising,.a main m0unt-,

ing frame having a horizontal forward portion and an upright rear portion, opposed channel-shaped track members arranged on the opposite inner ends of the mounting frame and extending along the horizontal portion and doubled vertically upon themselves within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress-supporting frame consisting of a plurality of channel-shaped links, alternate links having their. ends bifurcated to embrace the ends of the intermediate links, pins extending through the overlapping parts of the links for hingedly connecting them together, rollers on the outer ends of the hinge pins seated in the channel-shaped track members for supporting the mattress-supporting frame on the track members, channel-shaped track extensions telescopically supported in the horizontal parts of the track members and movable into and out of extended relationship with the forward ends of the track members when the mattress supporting frame moves into and out of its forward-most position on the mounting frame, coaeting stop means on the track members and the trackextensions for limiting the forward movement of the track extensions, a motor housed in the mounting frame, motor-driven elements journaled on the mounting frame at opposite sides of the mattress-supporting frame and engaging the hinge pins to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame on the track members between collapsed sofa and bed extended positions, and manual and automatic switch means for respectively starting and stopping the motor.

6. A convertible sofa-bed comprising, a main mounting frame having a horizontal forward portion and an upright rear portion, opposedchannel-shaped track members arranged on the oppositeinner ends of the mounting frame and extending along the horizontal portion and doubled vertically upon themselves within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress-support.

ing frame consisting of sofa-section links substantially coextensive with the horizontal portion of the mounting frame and a plurality of channel-shaped links, alternate links having their ends bifurcated to embrace the ends of the intermediate links, pins extending through the over lapping parts of the links for hingedly connecting them together, rollers on the outer ends of the hinge pins seated in the channel-shaped track members for supporting the mattress-supporting frame on the track members, channel-shaped track extensions telescopically supported in the horizontal parts of the track members and movable into and out of extended relationship with the forward ends of the track members when the mattresssupporting frame moves into and out of its forward-most position on the mounting frame, coacting stop means on the track members and the track extensions for limiting the forward movement of the track extensions, a motor housed in the mounting frame, motor-driven elements journaled on the mounting frame at opposite sides of the mattress-supporting frame and engaging thehinge pins to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame on the track members between collapsed sofa and bed-extended positions, manual and automatic switch means for respectively starting and stopping the motor, a leg pivoted on the hinge pins respectively connecting the inner ends of the sofa-section links of the mattress-supporting frame and the next inward links, a leg pivoted adjacent the outer ends of each of the sofa links, link means connecting the legs whereby they are oppositely and simultaneously shifted between folded and extended positions, and spring normally urging the legs toward their extended positions with respect to the sofasection links, the first-mentioned legs being adapted to engage the mounting frame when the mattress-supporting frame is being retracted to cause the folding of both legs into their retracted positions up against the sofa section links of the mattress-supporting frame.

7. A convertible sofa-bed comprising, a main mounting frame having a horizontal forward portion and an upright rear portion, opposed channel-shaped track memupright rear portion, opposed channel-shaped track members arranged on the opposite inner ends of the mount ing frame and extending along the horizonal portion and doubled vertically upon themselves within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress-supporting frame consisting of a plurality of channel-shaped links, alternate links having their ends bifurcated to embrace the ends of the intermediate links, pins extending through the overlapping parts of the links for hingedly connecting them together, rollers on the outer ends of the hinge pins seated in the channel-shaped track members for supporting the mattress-supporting frame on the track members, and means journaled in the mounting frame at opposite sides of the mattress-supporting frame and engaging the hinge pins and operable to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame on the track members between collapsed sofa and bed-extended positions.

8. A convertible sofa-bed comprising, -a main mounting frame having a horizontal forward portion and an upright rear portion, opposed channel-shaped track members arranged on the opposite inner ends of the mounting frame and extending along the horizontal portion and doubled vertically upon themselves within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress-supporting frame consisting of a plurality of channel-shaped links, alternate links having their ends bifurcated to embrace the ends of the intermediate links, pins extending through the overlapping parts of the links for hingedly connecting them together, rollers on the outer ends of the hinge pins seated in the channel-shaped track members for supporting the mattress-supporting frame on the track members, channel-shaped track extensions telescopically supported in the horizontal parts of the track members and movable into and out ofextended relationship with the forward ends of the track members when the mattress-supporting frame moves into and out of its forwardmost position on the mounting frame, and means journaled on the mounting frame at opposite sides of the mattress-supporting frame and engaging the hinge pins and operable to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame on the track members between the collapsed sofa and bed-extended positions.

9. A convertible sofa-bed comprising, a main mounting frame having a horizontal forward portion and an bers arranged on the opposite inner ends of the mounting frame and extending along the horizontal portion and doubled vertically upon themselves. within the upright portion of the mounting frame, a mattress-supporting frame consisting of sofa-section links substantially coextensive with the horizontal portion of the mounting frame and aplurality of channel-shaped links, alternate links having their ends bifurcated to embrace the ends of the intermediate links, pins extending through the overlapping parts of the links for hingedly connecting them together, rollers on the outer ends of the hinge pins seated in the channel-shaped track members for supporting the mattress-supporting frame on the track members, channel-shaped track extensions telescopically supported in the horizontal parts of the track members and movable into and out of extended relationship with the forward ends of the track members when the mattress-supporting frame moves into and out of its forwardmost position on the mounting frame, coacting stop means on the track members and the track extensions for limiting the forward movement of the track extensions, means journaled on the mounting frame at opposite sides of the mattress-supporting frame and engaging the hinge pins and operable to effect the opposite shifting of the mattress-supporting frame on the track members between collapsed sofa and bed-extended positions, a leg pivoted on the hinge pins respectively connecting the inner ends of the sofa-section links of the mattress-supporting frame and the next inward links, a leg pivoted adjacent the outer ends of each of the sofa links, link means con- References Cited in the file of this patent necting thelegs whereby they are oppositely and sir n ilta- UNITED STATES PATENTS neously shlfted between folded and extended positions, and springs normally urging the legs toward their ex- 9775 Mlllert 1910 tended positions with respect to the sofa-section links, the 5 22 3 first-mentioned le S bein ada ted to en a e the mount- P e y g g p g g 2,640,997 Hoopingarner June 9, 1953 ing frame when the mattress-supporting frame is being retracted to cause the folding of both legs 1nto their FOREIGN PATENTS retracted positions up against the sofa section links of the mattressupporting frame 10 Great Blltalll D60. 16, 1953 

